Everyone is saging to rid their spaces of negative spirits, energies, and bad vibes. Lately, there's been controversy over white sage and who should use it. There are talks of white sage being an endangered species and interviews from indigenous people demanding people who are not apart of their culture to stop the use of white sage.

All I know is there's enough buzz to make me stop and look up for myself if I'm over-stepping or taking up space in someone else's culture.

Here's what I found out:

1. White Sage is an endangered species from being overharvested. There are claims that this statement is not true.

2. White sage shouldn't be used if you have not been initiated by someone who practices sage medicine.

3. There are certain protocols when using white sage. If you don't have a license to practice sage medicine or a member of the Midewiwin or any other healer society, put the sage down.
Alternatives to white sage:

Palo Santo (there are claims palo santo is an endangered species as well)
Somali frankincense and myrrh
Camphor
Dragons blood
Asafoetida
Copal
Pine
Benzoin
Tobacco
Cool water. It's the oldest element on this planet. You just have to give it something to do.
Water with eucalyptus.
Cinnamon
Rosemary
Lemongrass
Cedar
All great substitutes for North America

Burn what is traditionally burned in the area you live in.

If you have sage and no longer wish to use it you may bury it in the earth or commit it to a river.

Now if you think you have "Indian" in your family or someone in your lineage is indigenous of this land, that does not give you a free pass. If you really want to learn, get to diggin in your past.

"Having native ancestors and being an initiate of say, the Midewiwin aren't the same. Having an ancestral key isn't the same as an ancestral license, either. I have two Native great grandmothers. I stay in my own lane. Not my cultures, not my medicine." -Siete Saudades

What do you think about the use of white sage to cleanse your spaces from certain energies? Will you stop using or sage until you can't sage anymore?

Facial rollers increase blood flow to the skin, making products easier to absorb. They also help reduce puffiness, normally caused by congested lymph channels.

Lymph is all over the body. Lymph fluid helps fight off infections and purge the body of toxins and waste. But lymph doesn't have a flowing system like blood vessels. Lymph fluid moves through massage and exercise.

Facial rollers come in many styles and materials but the most popular to date are face rollers made from precious crystals like jade and quartz. If you know anything about crystals you know jade and quartz are calming and cool to the touch.

Jade has been used in China during the 7th century for its healing properties.

Firm skin through massage

Improve elasticity of skin

Reduce puffiness and fine lines

Ease facial muscle tension

Place your roller in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.

So you wanna get your skin together. Cool.

There are three things you can do right now to improve your skin dramatically without too much effort. 

Cleansing. Toning. Moisturizing. These steps will ensure your skin is clean, balanced, and supple. The more I talk about skincare the more I see an improvement in my clients' skin with each visit. When I ask them what they do different, they list their cleansing, toning, and moisturizing products.

I always say to use products for your skin type, but if you don't know your skin type, you can buy skin care products that work for all skin types. Products like that exist.

The best way to know what your skin type is to visit your estie bestie. They will examine your skin to determine what your skin type is.

Don't know an estie bestie or it's not in the budget this month? Here's one way you can determine your skin type at home:

Wash your face first thing in the morning then do nothing. Yes, the dew god is telling you not to apply not one single product after cleansing.

Let your skin dry around midday. Observe your skin.

• If your skin resembles mothers applying vaseline to their children's faces before leaving school, you got oily skin. 
• Somewhat oily on your t-zone but matte on the cheeks? Combination skin. 
• Normal skin types typically will look the same from the morning. You might see some, very minimal oil in the t-zone area (there are more oil glands in the t-zone area than the rest of your face no matter what your skin type is). 
• Dry patches or tightness means you're a dry skin type. 
• Redness is sensitive

You can start with what you have right now. If you have a face cleanser, consistently use it. If you have toner but not sure how to use, apply after cleansing before you apply moisturizer. And I know y'all not using moisturizer because you think you have oily skin and don't need it. Oop.

Congratulations! Knowing your skin type is half the battle. March into your nearest Sephora, Ulta or Walgreens, CVS and grab products for your skin type. Most skincare products will label if it's for a specific skin type.

This is how you start, with what you have. As you use the products you have and aren't getting the results you want, swap out one of your products. Observe and keep a journal.

Here are a few products you can pick up or snatch online for your skin type: